Press Release
Young Journalists Being Change Maker: Information Minister
ActionAid Bangladesh, Dhaka, 31 October 2021
“As the media has a strong influence in sensitizing relevant stakeholder including policy and decision makers, ActionAid Bangladesh engages with media through different strategies to amplify its advocacy for the rights of marginalised people. The young journalists have a vital role for playing to contribute bringing young people’s agendas to the forefront of national concerns and policy makers. Young journalists are the artisans of change.”
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has remarked this gracing ‘ActionAid Young Journalist Media Award 2021' ceremony as the chief guest at the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) auditorium organized by ActionAid Bangladesh in Dhaka on 31 October 2021 (Sunday).
Dr. Hasan Mahmud also said, “Journalists, news readers, and media house owners must focus on specific, emphatic, and concise journalism, and take responsibility for a sustainable media industry for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).”
“With the third eye, a journalist can identify the community concerns and challenges for making effective solutions. There are many people in the society for whom no one thinks about, who cannot speak about their rights whereas journalists give them courage, dream, and raise voice about their rights.”
In this time, he urged the next generation of young journalists to take the responsibility of carrying out quality reporting and news investigation. He also called for organizing special pages for children in the newspapers as well as highlighting issues that the state, society, and government do not pay attention to.
This year, three journalists received 'ActionAid Young Journalist Media Award 2021' and other four journalists got fellowships. Former Chief Information Commissioner Professor Dr. Md. Golam Rahman, chair of the event, announced the names of the winners.
Md. Iqbal Hossain, Reporter of Bangladesh Television (BTV) for 'Journalism for promoting youth leadership for social transformation' Category; Miftahul Zannat, Deputy Managing Editor of The Dhaka Apologue for 'Journalism for promoting youth responsive accountable public services' Category; Md. Sharful Alam, Senior Reporter of ATN Bangla for 'Journalism for promoting decent work and economic opportunities for young people' Category were awarded for their excellent reports.
On the other hand, Babu Kamruzzaman, Staff Correspondent of News 24; Nilima Jahan, Reporter of the Daily Star; M Yousuf Ali, Jahangirnagar University Correspondent of the daily Jugantor; Satej Chakma, Chief Reporter of IPNEWS BD got fellowships respectively.
Miftahul Jannat, Deputy Managing Editor of The Dhaka Apologue, who received the ActionAid Young Journalist Media Award 2021 in the 'Journalism for promoting youth responsive accountable public services' category said, "People are talking about human rights and raising questions. They are starting to think that sounds very good to me. We should put more emphasis on these issues. I believe this award will help me create more responsible reports.
An independent jury panel including A. A. Munir Hasan, Head, Youth Programme, The Daily Prothom Alo; Borhanul Haque Shamrat, Senior News Editor, News 24; Dr Nazneen Ahmed, Country Economist at UNDP went through the reports and select the winners.
Borhanul Haque Samrat, Senior News Editor of News 24 channel, said that “ActionAid Bangladesh has evaluated journalist from the city to the marginal level through this competition. Young journalists’ reports are very well despite many limitations. However, the selection process was not so easy. At the same time, he highlighted the need for journalists to keep an eye on the Young Leadership.”
Former Chief Information Commissioner and also the editor of the daily Ajker Patrika, Professor Dr. Md. Golam Rahman, who chaired the event said, “All professions being profitable, but journalism is not based on profit only. Journalists must work responsibly in the society. Journalists are part of the productive force. They are the craftsmen of building a society. ActionAid Bangladesh is encouraging the youth of the country in journalism which is a matter of great joy. The role of the youth in advancing our development is particularly significant.” At the same time, he called for highlighting the bad aspects of the society as well as the positive issues in journalism.
Nazmul Ahsan, Manager, ActionAid Bangladesh said “We, from the inception, has been advocating for the rights of the marginalized people for social justice and facilitate the extensive engagement of young people with communities to lead the progressive social movements. In this journey, ActionAid Young Journalist Media Award initiative has been inspiring and recognizing young journalists”.
